Pets at Homes VIP Club Customer Scheme Raises £2 MILLION for Animal Charities

More than 560 animal charities across the UK are celebrating after receiving more than £2 million over the past 18 months thanks to generous Pets at Home’s customers.

The donations, shared between both national and local independent animal charities on a monthly basis, have been raised by the Pet retailer’s VIP (Very Important Pets) club members, of which there are now three million, who collectively own more than 9.8 million pets.

Every time a VIP club member swipes their card in-store, at the vets or Groom Room salon, they collect points, which are converted into VIP Lifelines for a pet charity of their choice. Lifelines can then be used to help with vital expenses such as food, bedding and essential supplies.

In the two years since the VIP club launched, the RSPCA has received more than £92,000 from customers, while Cats Protection has received more than £57,000 and Blue Cross more than £24,000.

Other charities to benefit include the Retired Greyhound Trust, Dogs Trust, Scottish SPCA, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Wood Green and a whole host of local rescue homes and charities.

Gavin Hawthorn, head of the VIP club at Pets at Home, said: “For our customers to earn more than £2,000,000 worth of Lifelines for 569 animal charities in just over 18 months is incredible. These Lifelines go to charities who rely solely on donations and public support so to be able to give them help in crucial costs such as food or vet bills is amazing – and all thanks to our now three million strong VIP club members.

“We’re looking forward to donating more Lifelines in 2015 to help secure the future of even more pets in rescue and rehoming centres around the UK.”